I recently heard somebody say, “I don’t watch the news…it’s just too scary!” Yes, I’m certain that many of us feel that way. Finding safe places to live, work, play, or even worship is becoming more difficult every year. News reports suggest that not even our churches or homes are immune to violence. Our “pursuit of happiness” is being challenged at every turn!

I love the way that The Message presents Acts 4:25-30:

As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: “Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:

… “And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

I recall a presentation at Annual Conference by the then Conference Lay Leader, Jay Brim, where he held up a early United Methodist Book of Discipline (BOD), which was a comparatively tiny, pocket-sized book. Our current BOD, is gigantic in comparison; and, in 2016, the General Conference meeting of the United Methodist Church will likely add many more pages!

Our BOD is intended not to curtail, but to empower the ministries of the church. Every four years, we make amendments to address evolving societies and cultures for the sole purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ, so that the world might be transformed in positive ways. EVERY member of the United Methodist Church is invited and even encouraged to submit petitions to amend the BOD. (For instructions for submitting petitions, click here.)

However, as we contemplate possible petitions, we might consider our motivation. “Is my petition written out of fear or love, despair or hope, to exclude or include, to hide within the walls of the church or to step out boldly in the name of Jesus Christ?”

When visiting my hometown of Memphis TN, I am constantly amazed at the growing number of churches that have actually built fences around their properties. One church went so far as to install a keypad at the gate, requiring members to enter a code to attend worship! I pray that we do not use our BOD to create virtual walls around us.

When fear invades the Church, our ministries falter and our mission is blurred. We become preoccupied with protecting what we have…often from the very people God has sent us to serve.

Joshua 1 in The Message says it clearly:

Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of the Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

Let’s seek new and exciting ways to empower disciple-making, even in a world that is constantly changing around us…and God, OUR God, will be with us every step of the way!

Dallas, Texas: The General Conference Committee on Reference has determined that 78 petitions submitted for consideration by the 2019 General Conference are in harmony with the purpose of the special session to be held February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Applications are now being received for the 2nd- year class of this program. The program is looking for church and community resident teams to participate in this program of learning processes in Asset-Based Community Development [ABCD]. Class size is limited to four teams.

Sixteen members of the Rio Texas General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation attended the South Central Jurisdictional General Conference Delegate Gathering held at St. Luke’s UMC in Oklahoma City on October 4-5. The gathering, hosted by the SCJ Mission Council, was held to inform the delegates of the three structure options to be presented at the 2019 Special Session of General Conference. The pension implications of each plan were also presented. Delegates from across the jurisdiction joined in a time of listening, learning, worship, prayer, sharing, and developing a sense of community and understanding across different backgrounds and beliefs. The event planners purposefully assigned seating to create a mixed group from different delegations and beliefs at each table, which allowed for a new depth of conversation surrounding the UMC and our mission and purpose. We discussed how that depth applies to the decisions to be made at the General Conference Special Session next February in St. Louis.

WASHINGTON, D.C. _ The Council of Bishops President Bishop Ken Carter, who is also the resident bishop of the Florida Area, has issued the following statement in the aftermath of the mass shooting today in Jacksonville, Florida, USA:

In recent days, I find myself reflecting on past experiences and wondering about the future. I know I’m not alone in my thinking back and looking ahead. Here I join the many different people from many different places who are sharing their thoughts and hopes. I will meet some of you face to face in St. Louis. Others of you can meet me right here in this blog where I will share a few of my reflections over the next few weeks.

“What is so heart-warming about this is that it isn’t ‘us' donating to ‘them’ we are all in this together. Some former food pantry clients donate items and some current food pantry clients volunteer on the day of,” Jenn Clauser, director of Communications said. "Congregation and committee members donate & volunteer too, knowing that if God ever called them into hard times there’s loving help right here."

“There is nothing like being present to make new friends. There is nothing like being present to see new possibilities. Being present sometimes means crossing borders, being present sometimes means being uncomfortable, being present sometimes means driving in a half air conditioned van. I plan to go back.”

This week, clients coming to the food pantry received Thanksgiving Day food items as well as the regular offerings. In addition to food items, lead pastor Rev. Russell Floyd and food pantry volunteers used the opportunity to extend hospitality in additional ways.

Rio Texas Annual Conference

The United Methodists of The Rio Texas Conference are focused on reaching out to the people of South Texas. Some of our churches are located in some of the fastest-growing areas of the country. Others are located in areas where people are struggling with issues of poverty, lack of affordable housing, and a loss of hope. We are committed to providing vital missions, vital congregations, and strong leaders to connect our churches to the people.

Our mission field spans South Texas. Our churches are in large cities and small towns from Austin to McAllen, from San Angelo to Victoria in vibrant cities, historic small towns and struggling communities.

Rio Texas Annual Conference16400 Huebner Road | San Antonio, Texas 78248 | 210-408-4500...and all throughout the mission field of south Texas